Cow's milk cheese with a "granular texture" and a "hard and brittle rind," and have been aged for at least 10 months.
Parmesan cheese has a hard, gritty texture and is fruity and nutty in taste. Cheeses mocking Parmesan or inferior Parmesan may have a bitter taste. It is mostly grated over kinds of pasta, used in soups and risottos. It is also eaten on its own as a snack.
It is a popular cheese for snacking on its own or with crackers. It is especially flavourful in melted dishes such as soup and sauce recipes. A few dishes which use parmesan cheese are mashed potatoes, shepherd's pie, macaroni and cheese, casseroles, etc.